Letter: Autism environmental, not genetic

Published: Saturday, April 20, 2013 5:30 a.m. CST

To the Editor:

Recent news reports indicate that 1 out of every 50 newborns have an autism spectrum disorder. Because of this, it is likely that some family that you know as been touched by autism and if the trend continues all of us will be touched by it at some point.

Families tend to lean toward genetics as the cause of autism. They argue over which side of the family “gave “ it to the child. Both hope when the mapping of the human genome is done and someone applies the “corrective wrench,” all will be well.

By the way, the human genome was completed in 2003. Will this fix everything? Will there be no more newborns with the disorder? All pray that the “wrench” will fit those already born.

The problem with the increase in autism cases can be related to frogs. When frogs and other amphibians are born with extra or missing legs, we rarely think it is the replicating material of frogs that is the culprit. Something has influenced the environment, which in turn negatively influences the frog’s DNA.

The tens of thousands of chemicals we spray, ingest or otherwise subject ourselves to are a new experiment of the last 60 to 70 years. The genetic expression of frogs, or humans, is most often influenced by the chemical “pond scum” that exists in our environments and is new to our genetic code.

The genetic expression is altered by the stuff in the pond water and the frogs are born with three legs; or in the case of humans, they are born autistic.

We shouldn’t fret though. The solution for the human “pond scum” probably will be found by a student at Northern Illinois University or some other college, a bright, independent soul who does not yet possess a vested interest in the status quo.

One thing for sure is that it isn’t natural, nor did God intend “pond scum” for humans or frogs. It doesn’t matter how many treatments are found if the initial causes are not addressed.